EPC

It has been 10 years already since the Electronic Performance Certificate (EPC) is used on the property market as an energy indicator for homes.

Basically, you can find out 3 things from an EPC:

  • a grade for the efficiency of the property (A being the most efficient, and G being the least);
  • suggestions for improving the property’s efficiency;
  • an indication to what rating the property has the potential to achieve based on the suggested improvements.

A complete article upon the EPC and ways to improve your rating can be found at the following link.

April 2018 will bring a new ‘Minimum Energy Efficient Standards’ (MEES). The new legislation will affect landlords which will no longer be able to grant a new tenancy of the property with an Energy Performance Certificate with a rating below an E. This measure actually prepares for a more rough legislation: from April 2020 all rented properties must have an efficiency rating of E or better.

However, the real news is that once with the 10th birthday of the EPC the previous certificates (that date back more that 10 years) are invalid and will not be taken into consideration anymore.

 

Source of the article and photo.

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An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) shows how efficiently a home uses energy, the cost of running a home and recommendations of how to improve the energy efficiency of the property.

As from the 1st April 2018 there will be a requirement for any properties rented out in the private rented sector to normally have a minimum energy performance rating of E on an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

The regulations will come into force for new lets and renewals of tenancies with effect from 1st April 2018 and for all existing tenancies on 1st April 2020. It will be unlawful to rent a property which breaches the requirement for a minimum E rating.

Improvements

So long as the minimum E rating is obtained, it is left to the landlord to choose which works need to be carried out. Below are a few examples of works that will improve the energy efficiency of your property.

  • Solid wall insulation (internal or external)
  • Pipework insulation
  • Replacement glazing
  • Roof insulation
  • Hot water cylinder insulation

Penalties

Penalties for a single offence may be cumulative, up to a maximum of £5,000. Further penalties may be awarded for non-compliance with the original penalty notice where a landlord continues to rent out a non-compliant property; however, penalties would be cumulative up to a maximum of £5,000.

For further information please see link below:

https://www.gov.uk/buy-sell-your-home/energy-performance-certificates

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The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has released guidance to landlords of privately rented non-domestic property on complying with the 2018 ‘minimum level of energy efficiency’ standard (EPC band E).

The Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property)(England and Wales) Regulations 2015 mean that, from April 2018, private non-domestic (and domestic) landlords must ensure that properties they rent in England and Wales reach at least an EPC rating of E before granting a tenancy to new or existing tenants.

The document provides guidance and advice on:

  • Scope of the regulations: the steps a landlord should take to determine whether their property is covered by the regulations, and the steps they should take to ensure their property complies with the minimum level of energy efficiency;
  • Relevant improvements: how a landlord can identify appropriate energy efficiency improvements for their property
  • Cost effectiveness: how a landlord can calculate whether particular improvements would be cost effective to install
  • Exemptions and exclusions: the exemptions framework and the steps a landlord should take to register a valid exemption
  • Enforcement: the enforcement framework and the options open to enforcement authorities when policing compliance with the minimum standards, including information on fines and other penalty options
  • The appeals framework: landlord appeals will be heard by the First-tier Tribunal, part of the court system administered by Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service; the guidance discusses the steps a landlord will need to take to lodge an appeal, and how that process will be run.

Source: http://www.arla.co.uk/news/february-2017/government-guidance-on-complying-with-2018-energy-regulations/?utm_campaign=8038153_ARLA%20News%20Issue%20123&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dotmailer&dm_i=Z6K,4SAA1,LGLRXA,I06R1,1

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